Top Healthy Reasons to Drink and Enjoy Beer

More often than not people think that alcohol consumption only harms the body. Alcohol is usually associated with drunkenness and its health benefits are rarely discussed.

Anything taken in excess may harm you but beer has some healthy features which cannot be ignored. As long as you consume your favorite beverage in moderation, you will be able to enjoy its several benefits.

To discover the several perks you can enjoy along with having fun, read on.

Healthy Heart

Recent studies suggest that the human heart loves the beer. Many scientific studies have proven that alcoholic beverages help reduce bad cholesterol levels. Additionally, beer, when taken in moderation, replaces this bad cholesterol with good ones thereby giving you a healthy heart.

Cleanses Your Kidney

Interestingly enough, soon after you have had your german beer stein, you have the urge to relieve yourself. This is not an inconvenience, but proves that alcoholic beverages have the tendency to act as a diuretic. The beer, therefore, cleanses your kidney of substances famous for making kidney stones.

Strengthens Your Bones

Beer has a high concentration of silicon which helps boost the bone strength. With each sip you take off your beer steins, you help increase your bone density. Women going through postmenopausal stage can boost their bone density by having a beer in moderation.

Avoid The Silent Killer – Diabetes

Diabetes has been a silent killer for many years now and affects millions around the world. Many scientific studies reveal that drinking beer in moderation can reduce your chances of getting the disease. Put simply, drinking beer can reduce the sugar level in the body. Studies also suggest that beer drinkers are twenty five percent less likely to develop diabetes as compared to non beer drinkers.

Helps in Digestion

The fact is hardly mentioned anywhere – by those who drink beer or otherwise. Beer is said to contain the fire. This simply means that the popular beverage, when taken in moderation, allows you to comfortably cleanse your colon enabling you to achieve a better bowel movement.

Low in Carbohydrates

Although beer is not necessarily free of carbs, it is not the most carb filled alcoholic beverage. In fact, a small bottle of beer is said to contain no more than five grams of carbohydrates. Therefore, you can avoid gaining weight while drinking and enjoying a good night out with friends.

Delicious Delicacies

Not totally healthy but definitely good for your taste buds. Mixing beer with ice cream can be extremely delicious. You can mix a pint of your favorite beer with a vanilla bean ice cream and enjoy a good time with friends.

Beer does give you good health reasons to enjoy, but it must be kept in mind to consume it in moderation and not go overboard with drinking.

Different Types of Beer Glasses you must own!

Ask any beer lover and he will tell you that the glass you drink your beer from can transform your drinking experience. While there are a ton of glasses to choose from, it would be a shame if your collection did not consist of the following:

1.The British Style Imperial Pint Glass

Known as the Nonic, this pint glass comes with an engraving of the official crown pint seal. This is to let the drinker know that this authentic glass can hold a real 20 ounces. This particular glass is great for almost all kinds of beer and is often used to hold other types of beverages as well.

2.The Belgian Beer Glass

This glass definitely makes your Belgian beers taste and smell better. The shape of the glass is designed to capture and enhance the taste of its contents such as the fruity esters, spices and the alcohol. This glass is also able to support a foamy head, allowing you to smell it better for a longer period of time. The lip of the glass is designed to push the beer right into the middle of your tongue, allowing the drinker to get a taste of the flavor and the sweetness.

3.The German Steins

While the quintessential beer stein may do little to enhance your drinking experience, owning one is a matter of pride for most beer lovers. The German beer stein is essentially made out of stone, ceramic or even glass and comes with an ergonomically designed lid that was traditionally placed to prevent germs from entering one’s drink. Today, the German steins are popular collectible item among museums, individual collectors and beer lovers.

4.Your Very Own Comfort Glass

Keeping aside the science behind selecting the right glass for the right beer, most drinkers also have what we call a ‘comfort glass.’  This could be anything between an old mug to a chalice or a goblet. It could also be your favorite mug that you picked up on your travels. Whatever it is, every beer drinker must have a glass that they can call their own.

5.The Tasting Glass

If your beer drinking habits involve pouring only a few ounces, it is best not to do so in a full size glass. This may compel you to compromise on taste and smell while you wait for the beer to travel through the empty spaces. With a tasting glass, you can comfortable enjoy your half pints in their true essence.

Finally, the quintessential red plastic cup is ideal for house parties after which you do not want to be drowned in the labor of doing the dishes. Recyclable paper or plastic cups make for a convenient addition to a casual party you are throwing at home. Most beers taste great in these and they add to the casual and fun environment that you intend to create!

Guide to Handling and Cleaning your Beer Steins

Owners of custom beer steins often consider their possessions as their most prized collectibles that will be passed on for generations. These ornamental beer mugs are often handcrafted and adorned with some of the most exquisite designs which demand maximum care.

In fact, most owners of ceramic beer steins choose not to put them to use and simply display them as elegant objects of vanity. If you are starting a collection of your own, this guide will help you understand how to best to handle and maintain your collectible investment.

1.    How to Display your Steins

It is best to display your steins with lids that are closed since they typically postpone its aging and continual damage that takes place when the lid is left open. Closing the lid essentially prevents oxidation of the interiors and helps avoid consequent staining which is irrevocable.

2.    Avoid Using the Steins for Consumption

While most connoisseurs would absolutely enjoy drinking their beer in their steins, chances are that doing so will result in staining and damage. Further, the risk of damage increases while cleaning.

3.    Avoid the Dishwasher

Using the dishwasher is an absolute no! Since the dishwashers come with a consistent flow of heat, this may result in the drying of your stein resulting in a hairline crack or worse a complete split. Determining the correct temperatures may be challenging since pewter steins, glass steins and stoneware steins all come with different thresholds. It is thus ideal to avoid using any automated form of cleaning.

4.    Cleaning with your Hands

• Before you start cleaning the steins, it is recommended that you lay out a tick rubber mat as a lining in the base of your sink.
• Also cover the sides of the sink to prevent your steins from coming in contact with a hard surface while being washed.
• Now you can fill the sink with lukewarm water and detergent. Avoid using hot water since there is a chance that the material used to make the stein may expand.
• It is best to clean each stein one at a time. Cleaning more than one glass together increases the risk of damage due to interaction with the harder outer surface of the other steins.
• While cleaning glass steins use a soft sponge and also use a toothbrush in case you are cleaning ceramic ones.
• Soak the steins in soap water for 5 to 10 minutes if required. Avoid scrubbing harshly at all costs.
• After you are done cleaning, rinse your stein in cold water and pat dry using a cotton towel that is soft.

Finally, air dry your steins before putting them back in display. This will help prevent fungal growth in the inner walls.

Essential Guide to being the Practical Beer Stein Collector

The first significant collections of beer steins date back to the mid 1800s where museums sought out examples of exquisite art from the Renaissance. It was after this that private collectors started cropping up willing to pay surprisingly high prices for the right steins.

What Kind of Collector are you?

If you intend to buy a stein only on an occasional basis and are flexible about the nature and type of the stein, then you can simply visit antique shops and shows to find the best pieces. On the other hand, if you have specific objectives with regards to creating a planned collection, it would be ideal to start working towards developing contacts of other collectors and dealers who have the knowledge that you can trust.

Building a Collection Strategy

It is easy make your hobby of collecting German steins a lucrative method of investment. Steins in the 1960s and 70s proved to be extremely good investments when compared to other antiques as well as investment alternatives. This changed in the 80s when the value of other antique items grew more rapidly.  However, the price of antique steins continued to remain steady, proving them to be reliable performers.

Many collectors enjoy creating pairs or sets, especially for steins that are rarer and intricately designed. This arrangement enhances the appeal of your investment and provides potential buyers an additional dimension worth considering.

Also, if you are collector and not an investor, it is important that you consider factors such as size, types and materials to find the perfect balance between the similarities and the diversity of your collection. As a collector you must consider your personal preferences as against what is rare, in fashion or expensive. If you are like your purchase, it will be easier for you to find a way to display it.

Guide to Buying Steins

1.Perform a basic research before you start buying your steins. With a number of publications and online portals that discuss prices at auctions for pieces similar to the ones you are considering. This is a great way to assess whether or not you are receiving a fair value for the money you are spending.

2.Make sure you take it consideration any defects that may exist in the piece. Acquire a fair discount on the stein accordingly. With modern techniques and materials it is becoming increasingly difficult to detect repaired defects. Many sellers do not feel obligated to point out these defects, making it all the important for buyers to get smart while identifying collectible pieces.

Whether you intend to purchase through an auction or online remember that lack of knowledge by the buyer may result in wasted expenses even in situations when the dealer is honest.

Author:-

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For Beer Lovers, It’s All in the Glass

Most of you would not be aware that the beer changes its aroma, taste and color as it is being poured into a glass.

The glassware that is used to drink different kinds of beer could reflect national traditions, it may be a form of art, or it could be for easy maintenance such as washing, stacking and avoiding breakage. It could also reflect legislation regarding serving measures, used in drinking competitions or used as a novel product to drink.

The Head of the Glassware

The froth created by serving a beer acts as a net for many of the volatiles in a beer. Compounds such as all kinds of yeast, hop oils and byproducts like fruity esters, alcohol, fusels and spices are called volatile substances. These tend to escape from the beer while being poured. So a glass that creates healthy foam head helps in trapping these volatiles.

Different Types of Beer Glassware

• Pint Glasses

These are cylindrical with a wide mouth and a slight taper at the bottom. These are the most commonly used glasses.

• Weizen or Stein Glasses

The German, Austrian and Swizz beer drinkers use Weizen Glasses. These are generally taller than the pint glasses. Beer Steins area a traditional mug made of earthenware, porcelain, silver, wood, or crystal glass. German beer mugs stoneware also make for great collectibles. German pewter beer steins come in the size of half liter to one liter.

• Pilsner Glasses

Pilsner glasses are tall, slender and narrow. However, they are smaller than pint glasses and are usually used to serve light beers.

• Snifter

This is a wide-bowled and stemmed glass with a tapered mouth. This glass design is best for capturing the aromas of volatile beers.

• Stange

This tall and slender cylinder/ stange glasses are used to serve delicate beers.

• Beer Boot

Beer Boot glass comes with a lot of history and culture. It is often passed amongst the guests for a festive drinking challenge after a successful battle win.

• Flute glass

These narrow shaped glasses are essentially used to serve fruit beers as it displays sparkling color, carbonation and soft lacing style.

• Chalice

They are large, stemmed, bowl-shaped glasses adequate for serving heavy and big sipping beers.

• Tulip glass

A Tulip glass has large heads and creates a visual and promotes olfactory sensation and recommended for strong beers.

• Krug

Krug means mug or tankard and is referred to a jug or pitcher. It is usually large and made of sturdy glass.

Different formsof glassware designs follow a number of functional and aesthetic requirements. They also complement various styles of beer based on factors such as color, foam; or aromatic volatiles. Also, most beer glassware comes with a stem or handle which prevents body heat from warming the beer.

Everything you want to know about German Beer stein

German Beer steins are traditional stoneware beer mugs. They are beautifully ornamented and usually sold as collectibles or souvenirs. The word stein is derived from the German word “Steingut” which means stoneware.

History of the German Stein:

The Government had enacted a law to prevent the great black/bubonic plague from recurring which had hit Europe in 14th century. This law stated that all beverage containers must be covered when the drink is not being consumed. The German beer glasses were a creation which came out of the necessity put forward by this law. Traditionally, these steins were made of stoneware and the lid was made of pewter. Glass started to be used for making steins thereafter.

Significance of the Beer Stein:

German beer steins are mostly given as gifts. However, the history of gifting goes back to 15th century when a father gifted steins to their sons when they came of age.

Owning a German beer glass was considered a status symbol as they were handcrafted and mostly custom made. Customization allowed the family crest to be embossed on these steins thus making it a pride possession. The significance of these steins was measured by the man who owns it and the group he belongs to.

Making of a German Stein:

Most of the beer steins are made of stoneware or porcelain; however you can also find glass steins being produced.

The artist starts with a template of clay carefully carving beautiful designs out of it. Rubber molds are used to duplicate the designs and models. The gypsum mold are dried and then mounted on a centrifuge. This is when creation of actual stein starts. Centrifugal force makes the clay move to all nooks and crannies of the mold creating uniform coverage.  Glazing of stein is done after centrifuge has finished his job.

Making of lid starts after completing the stein.

Oktoberfest and Beer Steins:

These beer glasses were used before the first Oktoberfest in 1810; however these steins have now become an integral part of this annual festival. Many stein manufacturers make special edition steins for this fest.

Traditionally this event is held in Munich, Germany. These steins typically hold 1 liter of beer, are hand painted and cost close to $100. Most of these steins are limited edition. A great variety of beer and beer Steins finds its way in every Oktoberfest.

If you are hunting for authentic steins, you may notice that the market contains a number of Chinese and Taiwanese imitations. Remember that an original German made stein is always distinguished with its traditional designs and with its distinct lid. Make sure you pursue significant research to identify an authenticate stein before you make your purchase.

Dexterous Cleansing of German Beer Mugs and Wedding Beer Steins

Whether it is about handling your German beer mugs or taking care of your prized wedding beer stein collection, these brilliantly ornamented and adorned pieces need the highest levels of dexterity and concern. The various aspects of cleansing and proper display of these objects of vanity are discussed below:

Appropriate displaying of beer steins

If you are planning to exhibit your exquisite German beer mugs stoneware, then the best ways of warding off their aging process is by placing them with their lids closed. This prevents the oxidation of the interior surface of the mugs– which in turn leads to staining and discoloration. In comparison, open lid exhibits are prone to damage and start looking weathered and old over a period of time.

The role of vacuum sealed containers

Steins are artificial in nature and tend to age over time. Safeguarding them with vacuum sealed covers helps in achieving a spotless and scratch free look and alleviates the process of oxidation; which leads to aging.

Avoiding consumption of beer from steins

Beer connoisseurs love to exhibit their steins and drink from the same too. Drinking from German steins or wedding beer mugs may lead to the piece getting stained or damaged. It is difficult to clean and take care of a previously damaged stein and thus it is advisable to avoid drinking from your priceless steins.

Do not wash beer steins in a dishwasher

Dishwashers are best avoided. Beer steins washed in a domestic dishwasher are exposed to a constant flow of heat which leads to excessive drying, development of hair line cracks and splits. The contraction and expansion factors exhibited by stoneware steins, wedding beer steins or pewter steins are different and can be harmed by using the general cleansing and rinsing features of dishwashers.

The process of cleaning by hand:

Lining the sink: Place a thick rubber sheet on the base of the sink, in which you desire to hand wash your beer steins. The sides of the washing area should also be covered for added protection. This averts the chances of harsh contact with the sides of the basin and keeps the steins free from dents and scratches.

Use mild detergent and lukewarm water: The rubber creased wash basin or container is filled with lukewarm water, with a mild detergent to act as the cleanser. Hot water can lead to irregular expansion of the interiors of the stein, which may lead to cracks or breakage.

Wash one at a time: The hard surface of the beer steins can cause damage to each other. Wash one at a time and avoid any type of contact with the other pieces. A squashy sponge can be used to clean the glass steins while a toothbrush is best suited for the ceramic ones. Soak the steins in the soapy water for five minute and then rinse clean with fresh water.

Air dry: The beer steins should be air dried after the cleansing process. Exhibiting them with their lids closed, evades the possible chances of fungal growth or discoloration on the inside of the mugs.

A proper care and maintenance regime helps in the conservation of your priceless possessions for the future generation and makes them look as good as new—for a much longer time.

Ensuring the “Beer Cleanliness” of your Glasses

Are your German Beer Glasses “Beer Clean”?

Believe it or not, “Beer Clean” is actually a set of words which has found its way into the vocabulary of the hospitality and beer business. Presentation of beer—right from the “Belgian lace that fringes the sides of the glass– to the head which it manages to throw off as the refresher is consumed; is largely effected by the cleanliness of the German beer glasses in which it is served.

Insights into the cleanliness of German beer glass

The effects of residual deposits on the surface of the beer glass can be best observed by pouring adequate quantities of milk into a beer glass. Wash off with hot water (and no soap). Pour in beer. You fail to see the much awaited head and the foam fails to cling to the sides of the glass.

Now, wash the glass thoroughly with warm water and soap. Allow to dry in air. Pour in beer—the results are the same. Soapy residues are as bad as the other deposits and can prevent the mini figural beer steins and mugs from being scrupulously clean. Washing the beer stein with baking soda, yields slightly better results.

So, apart from changing the look of beer in the glass, soap/oil or other residues also manage to bring about unwarranted changes in its taste and make the guzzling experience less enjoyable. Along with giving the steins/glasses a good scrubbing and removing the last residues of soapy deposits, it is also important to dry them properly and store them with lids closed.

The best ways to wash beer glasses

Bars, restaurants and clubs usully invest in beer glass washing equipments which are dedicated to cleansing them to the maximum limits. The usage of commercial mild detergents in lieu of baking soda or soap are advisable for hand washes—as the thin petroleum film left behind by the latter cannot be rinsed off easily.

After washing, the beer steins and glasses should be left to air dry on racks. A single droplet of water sticking to the surface of the glass can make it appear unclean. If you notice a single speck–wash the glass once more—the act will be worth the cause.

Easy steps for making your glass “Beer Clean”

• Mix together 2 teaspoons of baking soda with ½ a teaspoon of salt and about four teaspoons of water. Form a paste which is thinner in consistency than normal toothpaste. Baking soda can be added to make the paste thicker.
• Use the paste to coat the interior surface of the beer glass. A small spatula can also be used for the process.
• Use a bottle brush to scrub the glass free of any oil, beer or soapy residue. The coarseness of salt and the firm bristles of the brush go a long way in making the glass speckles.
• Use filtered cool water to rinse the glass. Make sure that there are no residues left inside the stein.
• Leave the glass upside down in a dish rack to air dry.

Well, now you are ready to crack open the chilled beer and make the hot afternoon all the more exciting!

How Cold Should the Beer be Before Serving?

With variation in styles present in the intoxicating world of beer, the question regarding the serving temperature needs to be addressed—and in more ways than one. There is no absolute benchmark and the temperature depends on individual tastes and preferences. The generally accepted norms regarding the chilliness of beer can be tweaked to a certain degree and as a drinker you are the right person to set the thermostat to the desired level.

Challenging the myths-

Beer needs to be very cold before being served: Most beer manufacturers’ and breweries position their brands on certain features apart from taste. The cold sensation provided by chilled beer inhibits the taste receptors of your tongue and so the need to neutralize the taste becomes important. Guzzlers should know that alcohol delivery systems do not require taste; which usually gets into the way.

Numbing the taste buds with a cold refresher –iced tea, soda or simply chilled water can provide a similar “cold taste”. So remember not to freeze your beer or bring it to a state of near freeze. Good beer should be served cold but never too chilled!

English beer is served “warm” or at room temperature: Well, it’s not served “warm” but at the temperature in the cellar which is effectively between 12-14 degrees centigrade; whereas the room temperature lingers around 21 degrees.

The right temperature-

As you go through those inviting rows of beer steins for sale, remember to serve your ale between room temperature and “ice cold”. The numerous generalizations made regarding beer of different colors are true to a certain degree. While the lighter colored ones taste best when chilled; darker beers such as Imperial stouts, quadruple and Barley Wines find place at the warmer end of the temperature graph. Apart from the English beers served at cellar temperature, the rest of the lot lie in between the defined range.

Extremely cold: (0-4C/ 32-39F) –

This temperature range is for beer which you don’t desire to taste. The list includes Pale Lager, Canadian-style Golden Ale, Malt Liquor and Cream Ale, along with low alcohol based Canadian, Scandinavian or American style Cider.

Cold: (4-7C/39-45F) –

Kristalweizen, Hefeweizen, Kölsch, Pilsner, Fruit Beer, Premium Lager, Classic German Pilsner, brewpub-style Golden Ale, Belgian White, European Strong Lager, American Dark Lager, Berliner Weisse, sweetened Fruit Lambics or Gueuzes.

Cool: (8-12C/45-54F) –

Amber Ale, American Pale Ale, California Common, Faro, Belgian Ale, Sweet Stout, Stout, Dunkelweizen, Dry Stout, Porter, Vienna, Schwarzbier, English-style Golden Ale, Bohemian Pilsner, Dunkel, Dortmunder/Helles, Smoked, Altbier, unsweetened Fruit Lambics, Spanish-style Cider, Tripel and Irish Ale.

Cellar: (12-14C/54-57F) –

This temperature range is best suited for Brown Ale, Flemish Sour Ale, Premium Bitter, English Pale Ale, Unblended Lambic, Weizen Bock, India Pale Ale, Saison, Bière de Garde, Abbey Dubbel, Old Ale, Baltic Porter, Bock, Foreign Stout and so forth.

Warm: (14-16C/57-61F) –

Imperial Stout, Barley Wine, Imperial/Double IPA, Eisbock, Doppelbock and Mead.

Hot: (70C/158F) –

Quelque Chose, Liefmans Glühkriek and spiced dark winter ales such as Daleside Morocco Ale.

Come hot summer afternoons and cookouts and Frisbee stand incomplete without a chilled bottle of beer. Put in your recently gained knowledge to enhance their refreshing taste and refrain from doing disservice to your beautiful beer steins.

Identification of Heritage German Beer Stains—The Right Way

When we talk about the origin of the word “stein”–we go back in times to Germany, where “stein” meant stone. Created for the consumption of beer, these German beer steins traditionally had a lid which could be opened and closed at ease. The lids were effective in warding away bugs from entering the German heritage beer steins. Over time, these very mugs became collectible items because of their ornate carvings, stonework, sculptures and paintings.

Identification of the authenticity of German steins requires a keen eye. As an avid collector of German beer stein pieces, it is important to be aware of some tell tale identification marks which will help you create a priceless collection over time.

Take a look at the material used for making the stein-

Germans steins belonging to the era before the 1800s were usually made of wood, earthenware, hard metal, stone or pewter.

Search for the label-

Read the letters inscribed at the bottom of these heritage steins. In most cases, authentic beer steins will showcase the country’s name as a label beneath the surface of the piece. The “Made in Germany “ sign is  often replace by “Made in China” or “Made of Taiwan “ labels. Such beer steins are best avoided.

The mark “Gemacht in Deutschland” effectively translates to “Made in Germany”. The label should adequately contain these words along with the artist’s name or those of their manufacturers.

Analyzing the artwork-

An analysis of the artwork on German steins will reveal relief work which feature scenes and anecdotes connected with German history, culture and other Biblical stories. Further artwork was added by Renaissance artists onto these steins; to make them look more ornamental and ornate.

Determination of their physical attributes-

German steins are taller than others in their league. Known for their height—which is usually twice the width; these steins are known to possess sturdy lids with enhanced artwork to complement the other portions of the stein. The lid is firmly connected to the stein with a metal piece. The lid of the stein is sculpted or painted in a manner which complements the design of the stein.

The inside surface of this lid is usually lighter than the outer region. To prevent discoloration and weathering of the interiors of the stein, they are preserved or exhibited with their lids closed. This avoids oxidation and prevents weathering and aging.

The interior portion-

Hold up the stein to direct sunlight. This provides a peep into its interior region. Original German steins have lithophane on their bottom surface. Old steins may feature awkward angular formations on the lithophane and do not showcase any provocative scenes or nudity of any form.

The exterior of German steins-

A thorough examination of the exterior of a stein can speak volumes about is authenticity and origin. Hand painted pictures are common on the exterior of all old German steins. While Regimental steins are known to have the names of soldiers inscribed on them, others may depict historical scenes, German fables and anecdotes about its rich cultural heritage.

Identification of German beer mugs and steins is an art—which can be nurtured with proper information and research inputs.